Rich deposit of good news for Eclipse Metals

THE good news just seems to keep on coming for Mary Valley manganese exploration company, Eclipse Metals Ltd.

With ore in high demand at 35% purity, Eclipse has released assay results showing its Mary Valley deposits run up to 52% manganese.

A company's ASX announcement reports that geological evaluation of old workings at Amamoor show that "mineralisation is more widespread than the old workings, with indications that there may be significant near-surface extensions."

It reports 52% pure manganese in its ore at Amamoor, 51% at Skyring Creek, 46% at Zacharia Creek and 43% at Upper Kandanga and the Donaldsons.

"Recent assessment of historical mine workings indicates that the full extent of mineralisation has not been exploited, providing substantial exploration upside," it said.

"At Amamoor in particular, geological evaluation of old workings and surrounds indicates that mineralisation is more widespread than the old workings, with indications that there may be significant near surface extensions of both high grade and low grade mineralisation.

"Exploration had also identified potential extra mineralisation at many prospects in largely under-explored tenements," where only a limited area has been examined to date.

"Preliminary investigations have indicated that manganese mineralisation is widespread and that areas where there is concentration have been mined in the past to produce significant tonnages of direct shipping manganese ore."

The growing resource potential of the area is both good and bad news for many residents.

Mary River Catchment Co-ordinating Committee scientist, Steve Burgess, said he was the best person to ask, as a MRCCC scientist and the worst, as a resident with an unavoidable conflict of interest.

"My home is on an exploration lease and manganese has been located on my property."

Mr Burgess said he hoped that if mining went ahead, the company would treat residents and the environment with respect.